Josh Harnett as Loki in Thor?

On the heels of yesterday’s news that the unknown Alexander Skarsgard may be the frontrunner to play the lead in Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor”, comes this IESB story positing Josh Harnett as the comic book film’s villain, the trickster Loki, Thor’s half-brother and one evil sonofabitch. According to the site, Branagah has met with Harnett for the role and the actor is now on his short list.

Who does Brannagh want to bring this evil character to life? Try Josh Hartnett. IESB sources say Hartnett has met with Brannagh as well and he is currently on a very short list to play the villain in the film.

Word is Josh and his camp are really interested because he has never played a villain before and after Heath Ledger’s Oscar win for the latest comic book villain, Hartnett is intrigued by the character.

If Skarsgard does end up getting the role, Harnett as Loki would be a nice fit. They sort of look like brothers already, and Harnett, with those squinty eyes and bushy eyebrows of his, would make for an excellent, scheming villain.